Delivery apparatus for mail or the like.



W. E. FISHER.

DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR MAIL OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6, 1914.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Swumtoz W BF: SH E R wirliueooo W. E. PI$HER. DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR MAIL OR THE LIKE.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 6, 1914.

2 T in 0m r any MT n d m n3 W 3 P APPLICATION FILED JULY 6, 1914.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

WEFISHER TH E NORRIS PETERS WILLIAM E. FISHER, 0F MILLER, NEBRASKA.

I DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR MAIL OR THE LIKE.

useful Improvements in Delivery Apparatus for Mail or the like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in delivery apparatus for mail or the like and has relation more particularly to a self-propelled mail car designed more particularly for use in rural free delivery systems in which the car is adapted to travel back,

and forth on an aerial line between a road,

traveled by the mail carrier, and aresidenceor farm house more or less remote therefrom.

Furthermore, the'inventionhas for its ob- ]ect to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means wherein the power for propelling the caris derived from the force of the wind and wherein the propeller, included in the operating mechanism, is so supported as to be automatically adjusted in accordance with the direction of the Wind in order that the best results may be obtained. 7

The invention also has for its. object to provide a device of this general character including novel and improved means whereby the propeller, included in, the operating mechanism for, the car, is automatically caused to become inoperative when the proper destination has been reached and in such instances during the travel of the car when the wind reaches too great a velocity.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby the possibility of the car dropping to the ground is substantially entirely eliminated in such instances when the supporting wheel may be disengaged from the aerial track-way. I

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character including novel and improved means whereby the mail car may be caused to travel in a given direction upon its supporting trackway irrespective of the direction in which the wind may blow.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my 1m- Specification of Letters Patent.

proved device whereby certain important,

forth.

The novel features of the invention willbe carefully defined in the appended claims.

In order that my invention may be the v Patented Mar. 9, 1915. Application filed July. 6, 1914. Seria1N0.- 849,343. r

use, all aswillbe hereinafter more fully set i better understood, I will now proceed, to

describe the same with reference to the ac companymg drawings, wherein- F1gure 1 is a view in perspective of a mail carrying apparatus constructed in accord mice with an embodiment of my. invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view,in

elevation, illustrating in detail one of the rigid. track members herein employed a concomitant part being indicated. by dotted lines; F 1g. 3 1s a view in top plan of the device as illustrated inFig. 2, with the part shown in dotted lines in F ig..2 in full lines; I

Fig. {l is an elevational View of the opposite rigid track member, herein embodied, and

propelling means; Fig. 8 is a View, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustratmg in detail the member coacting with the structure illustrated in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a face view of the tripping member coacting with the hanger as herein set forth; Fig. 10 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 1010 of Fig. 6; Fig. 11 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 1111 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view, partly in elevation and partly in sec tion, illustrating the manner whereby the aerial track Way is operatively engaged by a supporting member.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 and 2 denote, respectively, the house and road terminal supports for the aerial track-way 3, herein disclosed as a cable, such cable being supported intermediate its length by one or more'brackets 4 secured to an upstanding post 5. As herein embodied, the bracket 4 has its outer extremity terminating in an upstanding projection 6 having the coacting releasing means; Fig. 5 is a way resting upon the concaved faceof the upstanding projection 6 is surrounded by T the metallic ferrule 8, thefree ends whereof being'disposed in the open slot 7 and operatively engaged by a rivet 9" or the like dis-. posed through said upstanding pro] ect1on 6] i drawings."

lnpractlce, I find itiof'advantage to have thefterminal support 1 comprise an upright post suitably anchored, and thexopposite ter minal-support 2 comprise a substantially v shape. frame member formed preferably of 7 'gas pipetandi' disposedlon an outward and v e e its free extremity the anchoring'memberfl-itf particular advantage to employ the strap 15 V V upward 'incline so that the space 10 may be soengaged withthe anchor 11 as to create the, requisite tension upon the track-way 3.

A herein disclosed the bracket 4 is subv tantially L-shape in form with the foot 12 1 thereof in contact with an" adjacent face with a pinion 29 carried by the upper extremity of a sleeve 30 loosely mounted on the or thepost 5 and having directed through which may be a conventional bolt or the like; whilefthe inner extremity of the foot is. straddled bythe strap 15," the extremities whereof being "suitably anchored in any conventional'way to the post '5. 1 I find it of in order to avoidweakening of the bracket 4"liyfthe"'passing of anchoring means theretlirough,as is believed to be self-evident.

The opposite extremities of the track-wayor:' cable 3: are secured to the rigid track members 16 having produced intermediate their lengths the depressionsi17' for a purpose'to' be hereinafter more particularly referred'to, and each of these rigid track mem bers 16*is secured to the respective terminal supports land 2, the connection between the supportl" and the adjacent rigid track member lfibeingof such a character as to per- ,mitan adjustment of the member lfi relative to=theisupport in order to provide further means forf controlling the tension of the track-way. I" also find it of advantage to interposein' the track-way 3 a coil section l8 to compensate for'contraction and BX-V pansion incident to varying temperatures.

19" denotes the mail car or box, herein shown ,as 'of elongated flattened formation, with-its sidewalls rounded outwardly. By thisconstruction I find that the possibility ofthe car beingswung laterally under the influence of the wind is reduced to a maximum; V V V Aftsubstantially itslongitudinal center the car or'box' 19has securedthereto through the medium of thestraps 19 the arm 20,

said arm being disposed exteriorly of the caforbox 19 and directed around one side thereofand having its lower extremity terand the free end portion of the ferrule 8" within theopen slot '7. asis believed to be particularly shown in the accompanying i shaft. 33.

weighted mass 22, said member and mass servingin the nature of a stabilizer, as'is believed to be clearly apparent. r The upper extremity of; the arm 20 is adapted to beicoupled, as-indicated at 23,

length, the upper extremity 25 whereof be ing offset laterally to afio'rd a mountingfor with the; hanger bar 24' of predetermined the grooved supporting wheel 26 adapted to its free end portion formedinto a'depending.

hook member 27 which is adapted to ooact toreduce to aiminimum the possibility of the car or; box 19,and= its concomitant parts travel on the aerial trackeway 3. Theex- V I with thetrack way in such aimanne'r' as falling to the ground in such instances when the supporting wheel 26. shouldleave the track-way 3. j 1' I As herei' disclosed; aside face of'the sup porting wheel 26 is provided with the annularly disposed teeth'28 adapted to mesh hanger 24 and'capable of free axial rotation therearound. The lowerv extremity of the sleeve 30 is alsolprovided with a gear 31 the hanger 24 "and being maintained in properrassembled position throughthe melet dium of thecollar 36 keyed to the hanger 24.

Loosely mounted on the outer projected extremity of the shaft 33 is a hub37 from which radiates a plurality of arms 38, preferably-six in number, disposed on'a' predehanger 24} Coacti'ng with each of the arms 38' is a propeller blade 39 of predetermined configuration and providedalong one longitudinal margin with the spaced bearings 40 and, 41 rotatably engaged with the arm 38 and the lowermost" bearing 41 is provided with'th'e segmental rack 42 in mesh with the face gear 43 also loosely mounted upon the Mounted for 7 independent rocking movement upon the shaft 33 rearwardly of the face gear 43, is the controlling lever 44 of predetermined dimensions and connected bers 45, said members being securedjto the lever 44 at predetermined pointsintermediate thelength thereof and to the face gear are suitably secured; While these expansible members 45 may be of any desiredcontermined' inward incline relative, to the with'the face gear 43 through the medium 7 of the reverselydisposed expansible mem struction and material,

I prefer to employ conventional helical springs. Slidably keyed to the shaft member 33 is a clutch member 47 having produced in its face adjacent the lever 44 the spaced recesses or cavities 48 adapted to receivethe projection 49 carried by the lever 44, it being readily perceived that when such projection 49 is positioned within one of the recesses or cavities 48, the shaft 33 will be caused to rotate with the face gear 43 and the hub 37. It will also be observed that the cavities, orrecesses 48 are so relatively spaced as to reverse the hand of the blades relative to the direction of rotation, as is believed to be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art to which my present invention appertains.

By the use of the expansible members 46, it. will be readily perceived that an automatic governing means is provided. The normal tension of the members 46 is to cause rotation of the shaft 33 with the face gear 43 during a moderate velocity of the wind, but should such velocity become excessive, it will be perceived that the members 46 will readily permit the blades 39 to assume a substantially neutral-position.

Proper coaction between, the clutch member 47 and the lever 44, or more particularly the projection 49 thereof, is maintained through the medium of the expansible mem ber 50, herein disclosed as a coil spring surrounding the shaft 33 and interposed between the inner face of the clutch member 47 and a washer 51 or the like embracing the shaft 33 in close proximity tow the outer extremity of the tubular arm 34.

Suitably secured to the hanger 24 above the sleeve 30 is the depending arm 52 suit ably curved to overlie the sleeve 30 and projecting outwardly from the lower or free extremity of such arm are the studs 53 disposed through the longitudinally disposed elongated slots 54 produced in the strap 55, the upper extremity 56 whereof is angularly disposed at substantially right angles, while the lower extremity has secured thereto the lug 57 in substantial parallelism with the extremity 56. The strap 55 is adapted to be moved freely relative to the arm 54 and has its lower end portion projected through a loop 53 surrounding the sleeve 30 and formed on the free extremity of the horizontal stem of a bell lever 59 pivotally engaged, as at 60, to a bracket 61 projecting upwardly from the tubular arm 34. The depending stem of the bell lever 59 terminates in a yoke 62 suitably coacting with the clutch member 47 whereby it will be readily perceived that upward movement of the strap 55 will result in the clutch member 47 being adjusted into an inoperative position.

The rigid track members 16 have suitably secured thereto the extremities of the arm 63 when the supporting wheel 26 dropsv within the depression or gap 17, whereby it will be readily perceived that the requisite upward movement will be imparted to the. strap 55.

In orderthat the supporting wheel 26 may be readily and conveniently raised from within the gap 17 of the track member 16 operatively engaged with the terminal support 2, I have the gap or depression 17 thereof intersected by the pivotally connected links 64, one of such links being pivotally engaged with the track member 16 adjacent the inner end thereof, while the opposite end link is engaged by the flexible member 65, herein disclosed as a linked chain disposed upwardly and around a pulley 66 mounted in the upper extremity of an arm 67 projecting upwardly and forwardly from the terminal support 2 and terminating at apoint within convenient reach of the postman so that he can operate the links with convenience and facility. It is also to be noted that-the postman properly manipulates the lever 44 so that the car or box 19 will travel in the proper direction. It is also to be observed that the supporting wheel 26 rides over and upon the links 64.

as is believed to be clearly apparent in the accompanying drawings, and for this reason the link pivotally engaged with the track member 16 comprises spaced parallel members, as is believed to be obvious.

In order that the tubular arm 34 may automatically adjust itself relative to the direction from which the wind blows so that the propeller blades 39 may properly rotate,

I find it of advantage to secure to a side of the tubular arm 34 the blade 67 preferably rectangular in form and of predetermined dimensions.

If, from any cause, the car or box 19 should fail to travel upon the aerial trackway 3, I find it of advantage to suitably mount upon the terminal support 2 a mail box 68 of conventional form into which the postman may deposit the mail.

From the foregoing description, it is thoughtto be obvious that a device constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement mounted on the hanger, a car connected propeller with the hanger, a propeller carried by the hanger and capable of movement therearound, an operative connection between the propeller and the supporting wheel, and means carried by the hanger for controlling the connection between the supporting wheel and the propeller.

including a hanger, a supporting wheel mounted on the hanger, a car connected with the hanger, a propeller carried by the hanger' and capable of movement therearound, an operative connection between the and the supporting wheel, and movable means carried by the hanger for controlling the connection between the supporting wheel and the propeller.

3. A device of the character described including a hanger, a supporting wheel mounted on the hanger, a car connected with the hanger, apropeller carried by the hanger and capable ofmovement therearound, an operative connection between the propeller and the supporting wheel, amovable plate carried by the hanger provided with means for imparting endwise movement thereto, and means operated by the movable plate for controlling the connection between the su porting wheel and'the pro peller.

4.,A comprising a car, a hanger connected therewith, a supporting wheel mounted on the hanger, a sleeve rotatably engaged with the hanger, a tubular arm projecting from thesleeve, a shaft mounted in said tubular arm, an operative connection between the shaft and the supporting wheel, and a pro peller operatively mounted upon the shaft.

5. A device of the character. described I comprising a car, a hanger connected therewith, a supporting wheel mounted on the hanger, a sleeve rotatably engaged with the hanger, a tubular armprO ectmg from the sleeve, a shaft mounted in said tubular arm, an operative connection between the shaft and the supporting wheel, a propeller op- 00?! of thispatent may be obtained for 2. A device of the character described device of the character described eratively mounted upon the shaft, "and a blade carried by the tubular arm.

6. A device of'the character described comprising a car, a hanger operatively con nected therewith, a supporting wheel carried by the hanger, a feathered propeller operatively supported by the hanger, an operative connection between the propeller and the supporting wheelfand means for re-' versing the hand of the propeller relative to its direction of rotation. I

comprising a car, a hanger operatively connected therewith, a supporting wheel carried'by the hanger, a feathered propeller operatively supported by the hanger, an operative connection between the propeller r 7. A device of the character described and the supporting wheel, and automatic I means whereby thehand of the propeller may be adjusted relative to its direction of rotation. i V

8. A device of the" character described comprising a car, a hanger carried thereby, a supporting wheel carried by the hanger,

a shaft operativelysupported by'the hanger, I

a hub loosely mounted' on the shaft, rods radiating from the hub, propeller blades swingingly mounted on the-arms, manually operable means for reversing. the hand of the blades relative to the direction of rotation of the hub, and'means for operatively engaging the hub with the shaft. I

9. A device ofthe character described comprising a car, a hanger connected thereto, a supporting wheel carried by the hanger, a shaft operatively supported by the hanger, a hub loosely mounted on the shaft, arms radiating from the hub, blades swingingly mounted upon the arms, a gearl loosely mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the blades for swinging the samerelative to the arms, a lever'swingingly mounted upon the shaft, expansible connections between the lever and the gear, a clutch member slidable on the shaft and engageable with the lever, and means for imparting movement to the clutch member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence'of two witnesses.

WILLIAM E. rrsHErt.

Witnesses V i O. R. WATsoN, F. D. BROWN. 

